Content Strategy

Most sermons on Open are weekend messages delivered as part of a 2-5 week teaching series. You’ll find resources that apply to the whole series (promotional videos, loops, artwork, etc.) as well as materials specific to each week of the series (teaching videos, message notes, transcripts, etc.).

USING TEACHING VIDEOS AT YOUR CHURCH

HOW DO I PREPARE FOR AN EXPERIENCE THAT USES VIDEO TEACHING?

View the entire message you’ve downloaded – all the way through. Even though you might have previewed the majority of it when you chose it, watch it again for these important reasons:

  • Be sure the file downloaded completely and that there are no problems with the file.
  • Watch for any cultural references or illustrations that may need explanation to make sense in your setting.
  • Be prepared to introduce the message to your church.
  • Know if there is a call to commitment at the end so you can decide if you’d like to fade out the message beforehand and handle that part yourself.
  • Pray specifically for God to use the message at your church.

HOW CAN I CREATE SMOOTH TRANSITIONS BETWEEN THE LIVE WORSHIP SERVICE AND THE VIDEO TEACHING?

One of the ways to transition from your live worship service to the video teaching is to use pre-recorded or live music. Play music during a live introduction and prayer as you transition into the video teaching. To transition out from the video teaching, try bringing the lighting up slowly, and fading out your video sound while the microphone for your live pastor fades up. Also, you can play an instrumental song (played via CD, iPod, or using your computer presentation software) during the final moments of the video teaching. Begin playing this instrumental music during the final minute(s) of the video and allow it to continue playing as your live pastor closes with prayer or worship.

HOW CAN I LEAD INTO THE MESSAGE?

It’s a good idea to set up the theme of the message—not articulating what is in the message but sharing something that highlights the problem or issue the message is about to address. You’ll also want to quickly recap each week if you’re in a series, highlighting the major points.

HOW CAN I LEAD OUT OF THE MESSAGE?

As mentioned above, invest time and thought in the transition from video to live speaking. Also, it is helpful for the live pastor to match the emotional intensity of how the video message ends as he leads out of it. Reinforce the main point of the message and make any calls to action that are appropriate for your setting.

HOW DO I Handle VIDEO PLAYBACK FAILURE?

If at all possible, add a backup resource for showing the video. If you use one of the popular video presentation software programs, you might consider using another computer for backup, or you can switch to a DVD player. Once you start your main source, begin your backup video source about 5-10 seconds afterwards. Then, if you have to use your backup, it will create little to no loss of the video teaching time. Also, it never hurts to have at least one extra video message for backup. In case of massive technical failure (like a power outage), it’s a good idea to have a message outline in your Bible ready to preach at a moment's notice.

IF I DON’T WANT TO USE THESE MESSAGES IN MY WEEKEND SERVICES, ARE THERE OTHER WAYS THEY CAN HELP ME?

Absolutely! Consider using these videos in small group settings, in your youth experiences, at leadership events with your key volunteers, or for inspiration as you sharpen your speaking skills.

KIDS, AGES 2-5

KIDS, AGES 2-5

LifeKids has created a year-long block of preschool curriculum for four different ages:

  • Under the Sea (for 2-year-olds)
  • In the Jungle (for 3-year-olds)
  • The Ark (for 4-year-olds)
  • Crosstown (for 5-year-olds)

Each of the above year-long blocks contains 10 units for each age group, including a five-week Christmas unit and a five-week Easter unit.

If you are working with a smaller number of children and would like to consolidate groups, use Under the Sea for 2s and 3s, and The Ark for 4s and 5s. If you’d like to have all of these ages together, The Ark includes the most complete package (but you could rotate through In the Jungle and Crosstown as well for a loop that would last three years).

KIDS, AGES 6-11

LifeKids.tv curriculum consists of weekend messages for children ages 6-11 years old. The four-week series are created on an ongoing schedule. Each lesson is 60 minutes and includes teacher notes and a weekly take-home challenge card. Resources for the series include artwork, video teaching, and loops. Corresponding parent resources are available.

STUDENTS, AGES 10-12

The Loop is a curriculum specifically designed for students 10-12 years old as they make the transition between children’s and youth ministry. The weekend messages are created on an ongoing schedule of four-week series. Each lesson is 60 minutes and includes teacher notes and a weekly take-home challenge card. Lesson plans include a weekly handout. Resources for the series include artwork, video teaching, loops, and activity plans.

STUDENTS, AGES 13-18

Switch is a mid-week ministry for students ages 13-18 consisting of a worship experience (live music and video/live teaching), activities/games, and relational groups. The weekly lesson is 45 minutes. Resources include artwork and activity plans for each four-week series.

DISCIPLESHIP, AGES 6-10

Konnect is a mid-week discipleship, small-group experience created for kids in elementary school. The 28 weeks of curriculum is designed to match the length of a school year. Each experience lasts two hours, making it an ideal ministry to offer while parents attend home small groups. Kids are assigned to Circle Groups and rotate through all activities together. Since kids will enter the program each year as they become old enough, a church could start with any year of curriculum and continue through them. After four years, kids have studied Bible stories and applied them to their life.

  • Year 1 - Creation through Moses
  • Year 2 - Moses through Samuel
  • Year 3 - Kings and Prophets
  • Year 4 - Jesus and the Church
  • Konnect 5 is a similar experience designed just for kids ages 10-11

SMALL GROUPS

At Life.Church, we believe the lifeblood of the church is small groups. Within these small groups, true discipleship occurs as people strive to grow spiritually and relationally by gathering together on a regular basis in homes, coffee shops, businesses, and online. While the church grows larger, we believe it must also grow smaller through groups, which is why we place a heavy emphasis on creating resources that small groups can use to foster an atmosphere of discipleship and spiritual growth.

WHAT TYPES OF SMALL GROUP RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE?

Life.Church creates a one-page study guide for every sermon called Talk It Over. This PDF contains seven to nine questions related to the message, scripture references to read with the group, next step ideas for groups to take the message one step further, and daily Scripture reading. For those sermon series that were done prior to the creation of Talk It Over, there will be a one- to two-page small group study guide for each message that is similar to Talk It Over.

ADDITIONAL SMALL GROUP STUDIES

Life.Church also creates additional curriculum aimed for use in small groups that are not related to message series. Many of these studies are designed to help groups dig deeper into books or topics like family, finances, and leadership development.

CHAZOWN

The Chazown Experience is a six-part video series that has been created for small groups. The study is based on Craig Groeschel’s book Chazown and is designed to help participants develop a vision for their life. Resources are available for download at www.chazown.com.

WHERE DO I FIND SMALL GROUP RESOURCES?

Series-related small group resources are included with each sermon series package. For example, if you are seeking the Talk It Over for the Masquerade sermon series, you will find it packaged with the other resources for that message series. Other small group resources, studies, and guides are found under the Small Groups area of ministry.

TOOLS

In addition to small group resources, the Tools section includes resources for behind-the-scenes ministries. You’ll find materials for human resources, newcomers events, staff training and guidelines, forms, learning sessions, and more!